Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
Lewis Hamilton missed his post-race media commitments after feeling unwell following the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday, with Ferrari confirming that the seven-time world champion had been assessed by the FIA medical team and excused from his scheduled interviews.
Hamilton endured a frustrating evening at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, finishing sixth after a late-race drop in pace cost him a potential podium. The British driver had earlier apologised to Ferrari over a strategy decision that left him struggling on worn tyres in the closing stages.
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Ferrari said Hamilton had been examined by the FIA medical team at the circuit and was given permission to skip the post-race driver interviews. The team did not immediately provide further details about his condition.
The Singapore Grand Prix is one of the most physically demanding races on the Formula 1 calendar, with high temperatures and humidity placing considerable strain on drivers. Shortly after the race, Hamilton was seen taking a knee while waiting behind other drivers for the mandatory weigh-in.
The Ferrari driver had been in contention for a podium finish before his race unravelled in the closing laps, eventually allowing teammate Charles Leclerc, Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli and McLaren drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri to move ahead.
HAMILTON TAKES RESPONSIBILITY
Hamilton’s post-race radio message suggested he had opted to stay out on older tyres rather than risk losing track position with a second pit stop. The decision proved costly as his grip deteriorated, leaving him vulnerable to the drivers behind.
“Sorry boys, I let you down today with that strategy. My call and I lost us valuable points,” Hamilton said over team radio.
“I’ll try and make up for it in the next one. Great job with the pit stop, though.”
The seven-time champion later elaborated on his decision in a statement released by Ferrari, accepting responsibility for a strategy that failed to deliver the result he had hoped for.
Hamilton explained that he had attempted a one-stop race after starting on the slower medium compound, but the approach did not work out as planned. He also revealed that he missed the pit entry when an opportunity arose to switch tyres during a virtual safety car period.
The slowdown was triggered when Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll stopped on track with a clutch problem, prompting several drivers to make pit stops. Leclerc took advantage of the opportunity, while Hamilton remained on track and was left to manage increasingly worn soft tyres.
“Today wasn’t the result we were looking for and it was on me,” Hamilton said.
“A painful lesson today, but I take full responsibility for the decisions I made. Not every call will work out, and I can accept getting it wrong but I’m sorry for the team for the points we lost today.”
He added that Ferrari’s efforts throughout the weekend made the outcome particularly disappointing and vowed to return stronger at the next race.
“They put so much into every weekend, and I wanted to deliver more for them. I’ll continue to put the work in and come back fighting at the next race,” he said.
FERRARI LAMENTS MISSED PODIUM
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur also expressed his frustration with the outcome, suggesting Hamilton had lost a valuable opportunity to finish on the podium.
The team had called both drivers into the pits during the virtual safety car period, believing the strategy could help Ferrari secure a double podium. Leclerc eventually finished second, his best result since July, while Hamilton dropped to sixth.
“We called him, we called them both to pit. It would have been P2-P3 because we were P2-P3 on track, and he missed the pit entry, and honestly, it’s a bit of a shame because he’s losing a podium also,” Vasseur told Sky Sports.
“It was crystal clear on the radio. But now let’s be focused on (the next race in) Austin.”
Hamilton’s difficult evening came to a disappointing end after he had briefly occupied second place. As his tyres faded, Leclerc moved ahead before Antonelli, Norris and Piastri also found ways past in the closing stages.
The result left Hamilton with plenty to reflect on as Ferrari turned its attention to the next round in Austin. However, his immediate priority was his recovery after feeling unwell following the demanding Singapore race.
– Ends
SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
